**ARTICLE BY HUDSON HARKNESS**
Second half penalties hurt the Vikings as Belding takes down Tri-County in week 10, 56-30.
Belding got the scoring started quick, just over a minute into the game, Isai Badder breaks a 19-yard run into the endzone. Tri-County would respond on the next drive. David Sheehan would keep it on the ground and power his way in for a 5-yard score. Once more in the 1st quarter, the Black Knights would get in the box. Koden McNeil would take it up the middle from 7-yards out to give Belding the 12-6 lead at the end of 1.
The 2nd quarter was more back and forth. The Vikings score within in 30 seconds of the quarter starting. Trent Behrenwald would lower his shoulder for a 1-yard score. The Vikings trick play pass from Stuart Gould to Blake Nelson would give them 2 more. Belding would move the ball down the field in their Wing-T offense to score 4 minutes into the 2nd quarter, this time Hunter Conrad with the 4-yard carry. Behrenwald would have an answer to the Black Knights, again from a yard out. Sheehan would find Nelson on the 2-point conversion. Belding would get the last laugh in the half with 63 ticks on the clock remaining. Badder would take the ball from 4-yards out and score. Conrad would get in for the 2-point conversion. At the half, Belding 26, Tri-County 22.
The 3rd quarter was pretty quiet for both offenses but was heavy in the penalty department. Tri-County picked up a number of personal fouls to push their offense back. The only score of the quarter came when Hunter Conrad ran from 4-yards out halfway through. Conrad would also score on the 2-point. That 8 points gave Belding the 34-22 lead through 3.
The final quarter of the game was all Black Knights and yellow flags. The Vikings picked up multiple penalties throughout the course of the 4th, that gave Belding great field possession. Belding would put 6 on the board, 7 seconds in with the Anthony Szubinski run. Szubinki would make it 8 more after he ran in for the 2-point play. Following a Tri-County turnover and penalty, Belding was back in scoring position. A minute later, Badder would touch paint to extend the lead. The clock would wind down to 3-minutes left and Belding would score from 8-yards with a rush from Bryce Flynn. TJ Smith would score on the 2-point play. The final touchdown of the Tri-County season would come in the form of an Owen Behrenwald pass to Stuart Gould from the 10-yard line. Behrenwald would find Nelson for 2 more. The final from Belding, 56-20.
Tri-County finishes their season with a 7-3 record and a share of the CSAA Gold title. Belding improves to 9-1. They will travel to Oakridge to face the Eagles in the District Finals.
